Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro Review: Valiant Value

At a look

Skilled’s Ranking

Professionals

• Easy efficiency 
• Shiny 120Hz AMOLED display screen  
• Quick charging 
• Double the storage 

Cons

• Irritating software program expertise
• Restricted software program help 
• Some digicam points 

Our Verdict

Xiaomi has little doubt created among the best mid-range telephones you should purchase this yr with tons to love about this worth for cash handset. It’s not a no brainer although and that’s largely right down to the software program.

Worth When Reviewed

Unavailable within the US

Xiaomi is again as soon as once more with one other set of low cost Redmi telephones to tempt budget-conscious patrons.

There are 5 Redmi Observe 13 handsets in complete – the 13 4G, 13 5G, 13 Professional 4G, 13 Professional and 13 Professional+ – all of which can be found within the UK (however not the US, like ordinary)/

Total, it’s extra of the identical from Xiaomi which implies spectacular design and specs for funds or mid-range costs.  

I’m reviewing the Professional mannequin right here which is analogous to its predecessor, the Redmi Observe 12 Professional, however arrives with a change from MediaTek to a Qualcomm processor in addition to a 200Mp major digicam and double the storage. 

The cellphone is yours for £339, so let’s see if it’s price your cash. 

Design & Construct 

• Comparable design 
• Now IP54 
• Three colourways 

On the design entrance, it’s extra of the identical from Xiaomi however that’s no dangerous factor. Redmi telephones have at all times seemed good and the Observe 13 Professional isn’t any exception in the event you ask me. 

Certain, it appears to be like remarkably just like its predecessor however that doesn’t matter to most potential patrons. Regardless of its samey styling, there are a variety of tweaks and upgrades, a few of that are invisible to the bare eye. 

Chris Martin / Foundry

The primary is a soar to Gorilla Glass Victus (up from 5) on the entrance. It’s additionally glass on the again, although its kind is unspecified. Xiaomi has additionally applied varied toughness measures, together with a shock-absorbing layer and strengthened body corners. 

I haven’t dropped the cellphone throughout testing, nevertheless it’s definitely stronger than the Redmi Observe 12 Professional on paper. The safety can be rated barely greater at IP54 moderately than IP53 which means it’s a little bit higher at keeping off water, although it’s not totally mud or waterproof. 

The physique is slim at 7.98mm (so we’ll name that 8mm then) and has a properly balanced weight of 187g, although I wouldn’t complain if it was a little bit lighter. Flat sides on the body are all the trend today, whereas a small bezel makes the cellphone snug to carry. 

On the again, the digicam module shouts “take a look at me” and is extra neatly organized this yr into a lovely sq.. The 2 major lenses are huge, each in diameter and the way far they stick out of the cellphone, however fortunately the equipped case ensures the cellphone doesn’t wobble on a flat floor. 

These bundled circumstances are typically clear nevertheless it’s matt black right here, which appears to be like good, however you possibly can’t see the color of the rear glass.

Chris Martin / Foundry

I’ve bought the Aurora Purple choice on take a look at which adjustments because the cellphone strikes and catches. In the meantime, the digicam module is cut up into pastel shades of blue, inexperienced and pink. I personally desire the Ocean Teal colourway and Midnight black appears to be like far much less mirror-like than its predecessor. 

I additionally just like the matt end on the rear glass, largely because it doesn’t appeal to fingerprints, however it’s fairly slippery to the contact. 

Display & Audio system 

• Nonetheless 6.7in AMOLED 
• 120Hz refresh charge 
• Barely greater decision 

Not a lot has modified concerning the display screen so it’s nonetheless a 6.67in AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh charge.  

Xiaomi calls it CrystalRes and there are some upgrades together with a bump to 1.5K decision (1220 x 2712), leading to the next pixel density of 446ppi (up from 395ppi) and the bezel across the display screen is smaller, giving it a extra premium appear and feel. 

Chris Martin / Foundry

Peak brightness has supposedly doubled to 1800 nits. The display screen is definitely shiny, and I measured it a really strong 503 nits with computerized brightness switched off.  

It’s properly crisp and vibrant, so my solely actual criticism is that white can typically look off, both shimmering with refined hints of color or a inexperienced tint. I consider the latter is brought on by the manufacturing unit utilized display screen protector (which could be eliminated in the event you like), however even then, it’s solely seen from sure angles.

The refresh charge is about to a dynamic mode by default, so it is going to robotically change between 60- and 120Hz relying on what you’re doing. You may repair it to both in the event you desire, however there’s no LTPO tech for robotically adjusting right down to 1Hz to protect battery life.

The display screen now homes the fingerprint scanner (beforehand mounted within the energy button) and I want Xiaomi had left it because it was regardless of it feeling extra premium. The scanning space is a little bit too low down the show for consolation and I didn’t discover it probably the most dependable both.

Stereo audio system on the Redmi Observe 13 Professional have Dolby Atmos help, which is on by default. I don’t assume it provides a lot to telephones and the audio system sound completely nice for basic cellphone utilization however are nothing to write down residence about. 

Doubtlessly extra thrilling, for some customers anyway, is the inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack. A rarity today however a boon for these desirous to keep away from Bluetooth headphones. 

Specs & Efficiency 

• Change to Snapdragon 7s Gen 2
• Double the storage 
• Extra RAM too 

This yr, Xiaomi switched from MediaTek to Qualcomm for the processor on the Observe 13 Professional, with the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 within the engine room.  

That is paired with both 8- or 12GB of RAM relying on which storage capability you select. The previous comes with 256GB which is double that of the entry-level Observe 12 Professional and nice to see and there’s additionally a 512GB choice, too. 

Properly, for some markets anyway as solely the 8/256GB is accessible within the UK. That’s a 3rd additional RAM in comparison with final yr. 

Chris Martin / Foundry

The Snapdragon is an identical chip to the Redmi Observe 12 Professional’s and as such efficiency isn’t massively completely different in the true world, although some benchmarks are markedly improved. 

I seen the odd slowdown nevertheless it’s largely a case of letting the cellphone get ‘warmed up’ whenever you first change it on and the whole lot settles down shortly. Switching between apps and gaming is clean and zippy. 

Redmi Observe 13 Professional benchmarks

Extra than simply spectacular core specs and efficiency, the Redmi Observe 13 Professional has different tips and options together with Twin SIM (both two nano or mixed with eSIM) and 5G help. 

There’s additionally dual-band WiFi (however oddly downgraded to WiFi 5 from 6), Bluetooth 5.2, NFC and even an IR blaster which you need to use to manage units like your TV – fairly useful when you haven’t any thought the place your toddler has hidden the distant.

Cameras 

• New 200Mp major digicam 
• 8Mp ultrawide and 2Mp macro stay  
• 16Mp entrance digicam 

The large information within the pictures division this yr is an improve from a 50- to a 200Mp major digicam, which was beforehand held again for the Redmi Observe 12 Professional+. It’s a powerful quantity and the sensor has optical picture stabilisation (OIS) and an impressively quick f/1.65 aperture.

Elsewhere issues stay successfully the identical with an 8Mp ultrawide digicam and a 2Mp macro lens to finish the trio of rear shooters. 

Chris Martin / Foundry

Let’s give attention to the primary digicam since that is the large improve and though you possibly can shoot in 200Mp photos, you in all probability don’t need to regardless of the additional storage this yr. Like many telephones today, the Redmi Observe 13 Professional pixel bins, combining 16 pixels into one to be able to offer you a 12.5Mp outcome. 

The primary profit being that extra gentle could be sucked in, because it had been, by the sensor for extra spectacular outcomes. So, how does it carry out? Total, I discovered the digicam to be respectable on the entire, however nothing to write down residence about. 

Images look higher on the cellphone however reveal imperfections when considered on a bigger show. Regardless of quantity of element, natural-looking colors and quick digicam app, I discovered a whole lot of photos weren’t notably crisp, with the main focus usually barely off in decrease lighting. 

With no depth sensor, the portrait mode depends on software program and as you possibly can see beneath, the cellphone struggles to find out the place my canine ends and the railings behind start.  

Don’t get me improper, some good common pictures are attainable, however the expertise is way from excellent when you begin to look nearer. 

The ultrawide digicam is okay when you have to match extra in, however the high quality isn’t nice, with comparable focus points to the primary shooter.

The macro digicam (which is oddly accessed from the settings moderately than the ‘extra’ part of modes) is like most 2Mp macros; mediocre and actually there to bump the digicam rely. It’s low decision and stuck focus makes it troublesome to get something worthwhile.  

On the entrance is a 16Mp selfie digicam (in a punch gap notch) which supplies some good pictures in each common and portrait modes. 

Relating to video, you possibly can shoot as much as 4K/30fps however I might follow the default 1080p mode and change it to 60fps for added smoothness. High quality from the primary digicam, partly because of the decision and OIS (optical picture stabilisation), is respectable. 

Battery Life & Charging 

• 5100mAh battery 
• 67W turbo charging 
• Charger included 

This can be a sturdy space for the Redmi Observe 13 Professional and although little or no has modified from the 12 Professional, I’ve little to complain about. 

The marginally bigger 5100mAh battery isn’t sufficient to make a major distinction, however I discovered the Redmi Observe 13 Professional can comfortably final a day of utilization and virtually make it via a second day.  

Chris Martin / Foundry

It ran out at simply gone 9pm on the second day and that is with blended utilization. If you happen to’re going to be gaming and watching a whole lot of video, then charging each night time will likely be wanted. Different two day stretches didn’t make it so far as 9pm, so it’s not fairly a two-day cellphone.

In our ordinary PCMark battery take a look at the Redmi Observe 13 Professional lasted a good but not outstanding 11 hours and 55 minutes. Observe that testing was carried out with the display screen fastened to 120Hz, so the dynamic mode will prolong battery life a little bit. 

When charging is as fast as Xiaomi provides right here, battery life turns into much less of a difficulty. You will get the cellphone from useless to 47% in quarter-hour and 87% in simply half-hour. A full cost takes an extra 10 minutes – faster than the quoted 44 minutes. 

That is as soon as once more because of the 67W turbo charger that Xiaomi provides within the field (a minimum of within the UK) however extra spectacular outcomes regardless of the bigger cell. There’s no wi-fi charging however that’s hardly stunning at this value.

Software program & Apps 

• MIUI 14 
• Android 13 
• Possible two years of updates 

The Redmi Observe 13 Professional comes with MIUI 14 (not Hyper OS as discovered on the Poco X6 Professional) which is predicated on Android 13. Oddly, that is precisely what the Redmi Observe 13 Professional got here with – it’s a disgrace to not see Android 14 (the newest model on the time of writing). 

If you happen to’ve not used MIUI earlier than, it’s one thing of a blended bag. It’s definitely higher than it was once however a far stretch from the graceful, user-friendly software program from rivals reminiscent of Motorola, Samsung and Google. 

With some persistence and time invested in studying the OS and tidying it up, there are some good sides. 

Chris Martin / Foundry

You could love the cut up notification and fast settings panels which pull down from both aspect of the selfie digicam, iOS-style. I like the choice to have the lock display screen picture change each time I press the ability button, although these are sometimes accompanied by a hyperlink to a related story which means many are photos of celebrities I don’t care about. 

I additionally like the best way the perimeters of the show gentle as much as inform you of a notification in addition to the floating app function, although I stumbled upon this and took some time to determine do it once more.  

And that’s metaphor for the software program as a complete: there are a whole lot of intelligent options baked into MIUI, however you need to go and discover them, which is made onerous with the chaotic quantity of bloatware and settings. 

Chris Martin / Foundry

Xiaomi isn’t clear on the software program replace coverage for the cellphone however says “sometimes, we’ll preserve the safety updates for a minimum of 2 years after the primary cargo of a sure gadget mannequin” on its help web site. 

Some get three years however since this isn’t a flagship gadget, it’s safer to imagine you’ll get two years. If you’d like longer help, which might be comprehensible, then it’s finest to have a look at the likes of Samsung and Google.

Worth & Availability 

There’s only one mannequin of the Redmi Observe 13 Professional obtainable within the UK with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.

It normally prices £339, however you possibly can at the moment get one for £299 from Xiaomi and Amazon.

Xiaomi doesn’t formally promote its telephones within the US, however you would possibly discover a global mannequin on Amazon. 

That’s the identical UK value because the Redmi Observe 12 Professional when it launched however with double the storage and a 3rd extra RAM, making it spectacular worth for cash.

The £449 Samsung Galaxy A54 and Google Pixel 7a each include 128GB, with solely the A54 obtainable in a 256GB configuration. They’ve benefits like higher software program help however Xiaomi provides nice worth on the subject of {hardware}. A less expensive choice is the wonderful Motorola Edge 40 Neo at £299.

Take a look at our record of the most effective mid-range telephones for extra choices. 

Chris Martin / Foundry

Must you purchase the Xiaomi Redmi Observe 13 Professional? 

The Redmi Observe 13 Professional, like its predecessor, ticks a heck of a whole lot of packing containers and can notably enchantment to these on the lookout for a premium cellphone at a mid-range value. 

And the value is identical as final yr regardless of a raft of upgrades, a few of that are small and a few are vital. 

You now get double the storage, outclassing many rivals, whereas the strong 120Hz AMOLED display screen can be now brighter. Efficiency is clean, battery life is nice and charging continues to be very quick. A extra sturdy design is welcome, too.

Some customers can even relish often-overlooked options like a headphone jack and IR blaster. 

As ordinary, it’s software program and pictures the place the handset can’t match rivals, with not solely a much less user-friendly interface (regardless of some good options hidden away) but additionally a shorter lifespan as a consequence of a restricted replace help from Xiaomi.

If you happen to can look past these, it’s an incredible cellphone for the cash.

Specs

• Android 13 w/ MIUI 14   
• 6.67in AMOOLED 120Hz flat show 
• Underscreen fingerprint sensor  
• Gorilla Glass Victus (entrance solely) 
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 
• 8GB LPDDR4X RAM  
• 256GB UFS 2.2 non-expandable storage  
• 200Mp, f/1.65 major digicam with OIS   
• 8Mp, f/2.2 ultrawide digicam   
• 2Mp, f/2.4 macro digicam  
• 16Mp, f/2.4 front-facing digicam   
• Twin stereo audio system  
• Twin-SIM   
• 5G   
• Wi-Fi 5  
• Bluetooth 5.2  
• IP54  
• USB-C
• IR blaster
• Headphone jack   
• 5100mAh battery   
• 67W wired charging   
• 161 x 74 x 7.98mm   
• 187g 
• Midnight Black, Aurora Purple, Ocean Teal